Essential Tips for Protecting Your Winter Wardrobe

So long, holey sweaters

We couldn't wait to pair our favorite wool sweater dress with our new bargain boots this season. But when we pulled our cozy frock out of the closet after its summer hiatus, we were dismayed to find it ruined by a constellation of holes.

How can we keep our (expensive!) cold-weather clothes in good shape and at the ready for the next deep freeze? Stylist Suze Solari schools us on battling moths and more.

To avoid holey sweaters...Moth worms are to blame for those little round holes in your cashmere and lamb's-wool pieces. These critters are attracted to food, perfume and bacteria, so the trick to thwarting them is to clean garments before storing them. For added protection, use a few cedar blocks or herbal moth repellent sachets.

To avoid stretching knits...Fine knits keep their shape best when folded and stacked on shelves or in a drawer (no more than three deep). Heavier-gauge knit garments can be hung on padded hangers. Bonus tip: Check your knits for pilling and clean them up so they’re ready for next season.

To avoid rumpled coats...Hang the coats on large cedar hangers and, to avoid wrinkles, make sure there is adequate space between them. Translation: Don’t cram outerwear into your closet--let it breathe.

To avoid ruined boots...Clean and condition each pair before you swap them out for espadrilles. Take them to a cobbler or use an at-home product like Lexol leather dressing or Leather Honey, a non-toxic, water-repellent conditioner. (For those stubborn salt stains, try this trick.)